| Kazakh Tazy | |||||||||||||||||||||
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| Origin | Kazakhstan | ||||||||||||||||||||
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| Dog (domestic dog) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Kazakh Tazy is a breed ofsighthound hunting dog originating fromKazakhstan.[1][2][3] Though it looks similar to theSaluki sighthound, it is a related but different dog breed.[4]
Tazys are used in Kazakhstan primarily for hunting and are considered one of the oldestdog breeds in the world.[5] Tazys are recognized byInternational Canine Federation,[6] but are not recognized byAmerican Kennel Club,United Kennel Club norCanadian Kennel Club.[7] Presently, there are fewer than 300purebred dogs, and the Kazakh government is taking action to prevent the breed from becoming extinct.[5][7]
The ancestry of this breed is unclear.[1] The Tazy shares DNA with many similar-looking dog breeds in North Africa, the Middle East, and Central Asia.[1] The breed has a high level of genetic diversity.[4][8]
In nomadic times, Tazies were prized for their skill at running down and killingwolves.[1] They were also used to hunt hares, wild boars, foxes, badgers, deer, andsaigas.[4] They had a special status in Kazakh culture, with it being considered taboo to refer to this breed merely as a dog.[1] It was said that a Kazakh would trade 47horses for a single Tazy.[1]
In 2014, the national hunting group Kanzonar organized a Tazy dog show inAstana.[1][9] This was done to spread awareness of the breed.[1] The breed was accepted by the Fédération Cynologique Internationale in September 2024.[10]
Tazys are medium-sized, deep-chested, and long-legged dogs, with short length hair on the body and longer hair on the tail and ears.
Tazys tend to be independent and aloof to strangers.[7] The Tazy is known for their playfulness, endurance, and vigilance. Tazys can run long distances at speeds of 12-15 kilometers (7–9 miles) per hour.[5]
